Why the Irrigators at Shafer Love Lumo
Shafer Vineyards put Lumo on Borderline. Expanded to Rustler and Ridgeback. And the system just went in at Schoolbus. 58 blocks across 96 acres.
That kind of expansion is driven from the bottom up, by irrigators who enthusiastically embrace the technology.
Meet Lolo and Roberto
Lolo’s the foreman. Roberto’s the irrigator. Together they cover the complex of four Shafer vineyards, ensuring the vines get the water they need.
Maria Silvia, our Customer Support Specialist, interviewed them in Spanish a while back to learn more about their experience with Lumo and how they’ve been able to get such great value out of the system.
Not a bad view from Rustler.
Initial Hesitations
Lolo and Roberto were skeptical when they first heard about Lumo getting installed.
Roberto: We felt a lot of confusion, with worries in our minds because we didn’t know what was going to happen.
Lolo: Honestly, yes, I was worried at the beginning. We didn't know. We didn't have an idea of how we were going to do it.
But that perception changed fast.
L: Once they explained it to us, when we understood it, it was something very different. Lumo is easy, fast, and very simple.
R: A lot of time is saved, a tremendous amount of time.
Especially once they knew they could trust the data.
L: At first, when we turned on the valves for a different block, or a block from another ranch, we would go and check to see if it was on because we weren't a hundred percent sure. But we would get there, and it was already on, and we said, ‘We've got the hang of it. We know now.’ It was a great experience.
R: I would get excited and turn it on at 2 in the morning.
They caught issues they didn’t know they had.
R: We really noticed a lot of change because there are two wells whose water runs out, and we didn't know. Before, the water would run out in a tank, we didn't know because it was just with a clock. Now it's much better. We realize there is no water because it alerts us.
R: For example, we didn't know when the filters were very dirty, and now we realize it because the system fails, and we know something is wrong.
L: And we go and correct it.
R: Exactly, we go and fix it right away.
They're now irrigating to plan with precision.
R: Yes, because the winemaker here asks for the exact amount of water he wants, and before, he wouldn’t know if we were putting on the right amount of water. Now with this, it's good because it automatically sends out the water it needs to send with precision.
L: It's exactly what he asks for. It's exactly what we put in.
They’re now able to respond to heat events faster. And have more peace of mind knowing that every block is receiving exactly what it needs.
What would they tell another irrigator about Lumo?
R: That they should install it. We recommend it. Our experience with the system has been a 10 out of 10. And if they needed help and we are nearby, we would help them.
L: To jump right in, no worries, no fear.
R: Go for it, yes! Go for it, it's very good and it's easy.
L: In fact, there is another ranch where we haven't installed it, and we have already asked our supervisor to please agree and install it for us at this other ranch as well.
There Lolo is talking about Schoolbus, where Lumo has since been installed and is already up and running.
That's the magic of making a system that works for the workers who use it every day.
When it really makes their life easier, when it really saves them time, when it helps them deliver on what matters most to their bosses–-adoption happens fast.
For native Spanish speakers like Lolo and Roberto, having the whole system available in Spanish helps, too.
If you're interested in learning more, you should swing by the tailgate we're hosting at Borderline Vineyard on Friday, May 29th, 9-11am. RSVP here.